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NBA Star Joins Great Blacks In Wax Campaign

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — NBA All-Star Chris Webber came to Baltimore Monday for a huge announcement for the Great Blacks in Wax Museum.

Mary Bubala reports he’s putting his time, energy and name behind a campaign to build a new wing that highlights athletes and sports.

The Great Blacks in Wax Museum on North Avenue in Baltimore City is launching a campaign to build a new museum and they are teaming up with a sports star: five-time NBA All-Star Chris Webber is leading the fundraising effort for the sports wing, a 3,000-square foot space that will be devoted to the history and contributions of black athletes.

“Chris is an example of what happens when you put your money and your commitment where your heart is,” said Dr. Joanne Martin, CEO of the Great Blacks in Wax Museum.

“I asked Dr. Martin if I could partner with her to raise money for the new facility so I can help inspire kids who look like myself, kids who don’t look like me but kids who come from the same areas and show them you can go through anything,” Webber said.

Webber is known for his moves on the court, but off of it, he’s an avid collector of signed historical documents of prominent African-Americans and he’s a big fan of the Great Blacks in Wax Museum. He first visited it with his wife, a former teacher in Baltimore.

“She always took her students there and you know, she treats me like a student, one of her kids anyway. I went to the museum and it changed my life,” Webber said.

The sports wing that Webber is spearheading is part of a much larger expansion. The museum is looking to build a block long, 120,000 square foot state-of-the-art new Great Blacks in Wax Museum.

Webber is hoping to raise more than $4 million for the sports wing. This fall, he will officially launch the project in Baltimore with a golf tournament and gala reception.

The new museum is slated to open in 2015.

Mary BubalaEmmy Award-winning anchor Mary Bubala joined WJZ in December 2003. She now anchors the 11 p.m. newscast with Vic Carter and the 5 p.m. newscast with...More fromMary Bubala